Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to address skills shortages in the nuclear sector.

There are two employer-led trailblazer apprenticeships standards being developed by and for the Nuclear industry, led by organisations including Sellafield Ltd, Magnox Ltd, the National Skills Academy for Nuclear and many other key employer and bodies in the sector. These new standards will ensure that apprenticeships meet the needs of the nuclear industry and provide the required standards for a successful career in the nuclear sector.

We have also announced development of a national college for the nuclear sector which will provide the specialist high level technical training and skills needed for the nuclear industry and a route to the necessary higher education qualifications.

We have provided £200 million capital investment to improve higher education teaching facilities and £185 million for teaching of high cost subjects such as nuclear engineering.